Michael Essien Is Most Influential Ghanaian Footballer

Ghana and Panathinaikos midfielder, Michael Essien has been named as the most influential Ghanaian footballer in a 2015 Ghana Social Media rankings.

Ranking of most influential Ghanaian footballers

The former Chelsea star was surprisingly voted ahead of the likes of Asamoah Gyan, Dede Andre Ayew, etc.

Social Media platforms - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter were the parameters used. Essien has been active and brilliant using social media to socialize with his fans and in support of various humanitarian campaigns for Africa and in other parts of the world.

Find below the top 10 most influential Ghanaian footballers in 2015 according to the Social Media rankings:

1. Michael Essien

2. Kwadwo Asamoah

3. Kevin Prince -Boateng

4. Asamoah Gyan

5. Jonathan Mensah

6. Christian Atsu

7. Sulley Ali Muntari

8. Andre Ayew

9. Samuel Inkoom

10. Rabiu Mohammed

Michael Kojo Essien (born 3 December 1982) is a Ghanaian footballer who plays for Panathinaikos and the Ghana national team. He is a midfielder who has often been touted as a box-to-box midfielder for his ability to exert energy in supporting offensive and defensive play and for his tough tackling style which has earned him the nickname "The Bison". Essien can also play as a defender, both on the right of defence and in the centre.

Essien started his career playing for Liberty Professionals Ghana. In 2000, he moved to France joining Bastia. Essien spent three seasons at the club appearing in over 60 matches before joining league champions Olympique Lyonnais in 2003. At Lyon, Essien won back-to-back league titles in 2003–04 and 2004–05 and also played in the UEFA Champions League for the first time. During his five-year stint in France, he acquired French citizenship. In 2005, Essien signed with Chelsea for a fee of £24.4 million and, at the time of his signing, was the most expensive African footballer in history.[3] At Chelsea, Essien helped the club win the Premier League in 2006 and 2010, as well as three FA Cups and one Football League Cup. In 2008, he appeared in the UEFA Champions League Final. He has won the Chelsea Goal of the season award twice, in the 2006–07 and 2008–09 seasons.